God has been working wonders in my heart over the past two years as we’ve journeyed down the road of infertility, and I can’t wait to share his goodness with you. But let’s back up the story and visit something I wrote June 9, 2011 (a year and a half ago), when my heart was raw and aching after crossing that 12th month, you’re-officially-considered-medically-infertile marker.
Tuesday, June 7th marked the 12th month of unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. Back in June 2010, Kevin was totally on board with the issue, but he wasn’t REALLY looking forward to the prospect of reproducing until the New Year. I know he would have been totally stoked about any pregnancy, but it wasn’t a deep desire for him until the last few months.
I, on the other hand, have been longing for this time in life for years. I can remember playing “house” as a girl and wanting to be a mommy so badly. For many years, maybe even until I started dating Kevin, I thought the reason to get married was to HAVE kids–babies were the point, right? I have realized in the past 3 years of marriage, that babies are most certainly NOT the point of marriage.
Children are going to be an enormous blessing–something we’re going to be more thankful now than if we’d gotten pregnant lickity split.
Children are an incredible responsibility–something I don’t think we’re ready for and never will be.
Children are an important form of obedience to God’s creation command to “fill the earth”–and they will be our most important contributions to the Body of Christ.
My heart so deeply desires children. The passion has grown and strengthened since we were first married and now, that’s it taken so long and we’ve not gotten pregnant, there is a fear. What if this never happens to me? What if I’m that woman who is barren? What if I’m Hannah?
We both thought it would be easy to get pregnant–that as soon as we decided to try, we’d conceive. Not. so. much. And all around us, our friends are getting pregnant and having babies. I could count 20 or 30 friends our age who have conceived and given birth since we started trying. And NONE OF THEM knew what we were going through. (We hadn’t not told anyone but closest friends and family that we were trying.) We’re extremely excited for each of them. But there’s a pain in my heart every time I see someone else announce their good news.
But I have to come to terms (at least for today) with the fact that God is IN CONTROL–NOT ME. His timing and His planning is perfect. He knew the last 12 months of extended one-on-one marriage would be extremely important to our growth and maturity. We’re going to be better parents because of it. He knew we’d be moving to New York, uprooting ourselves, starting seminary, becoming involved in a new church, finding our feet all over again. He knows what’s down the road, that I can’t possibly anticipate. He is SO GOOD.
He gives and He takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
And now we wait, we pray, we seek guidance (from friends and family who’ve been there.)
The struggle now is finding the balance between maintaining a true and Christ-like hope in this deep desire of mine without letting it become an expectation, something my world revolves around. My heart has released, more and more, the idea that children will somehow complete me, make me the woman I was meant to be. Only GOD, in all his goodness, can fill me, finish me.
Make that truth known to me today, Jesus.
Alysa, I am so glad the blogging world has connected our lives. You are always an encouragement. And now that I know you've been there…even more so. " As much as I learned during that time of waiting, and as much as my faith grew because of it, there's no other way to put it: It sucked." Well said. :)
Oh sweet girl, I know this ache. As much as I learned during that time of waiting, and as much as my faith grew because of it, there's no other way to put it: It sucked. Please know I'm praying for you. Make sure to keep a journal because you'll want to be able to look back at this time one day and see what God was up to. One thing that encouraged me during that time was when my friend (who had gone through similar struggles and was finally holding her baby boy named Ocean) told me, "If I had gotten pregnant at any other time…when I was begging God for a baby…I wouldn't have Ocean."xoxoxoxoxo
Amanda & Heather – both of your comments are such an encouragement to me. Thank you for the reminders (even of things I myself have said in the past), thank you for listening and loving us. And most of all for praying.
Beautiful girl, I am moved to tears reading this post. Your right God gives and takes away and dear one blessed be his name. I am sorry that you have been through these tough waters and that you still in this moment find yourself wading in them. Know that I will be praying for you and Kevin and this piece of your journey. Love you guys and if you ever need to talk I am always here to listen.
Mel – I have to confess that even though you never told me. I happened to know something was going on. I noticed some library books of yours back when you were living in Monroe – on what to eat when you're expecting. I can't say that I can relate at all yet. Josh and I won't be trying for quite awhile. BUT – Josh's parents were trying for quite awhile after Brenda dealt with Endo and for many years of trying they ended up with their miracle baby :) One thing I really learned from you and Kevin while you were here is when things are easy we don't rely on God as much. It's when things get tough that we start to rely on him and he really has his chance to shine. I CANT WAIT to see how God is going to shine in your marriage. Something wonderful going to happen and it will be a huge testament to how awesome God is. You ARE going to be a wonderful mother to some beautiful child. Stay strong until then. I'm glad you reached out – you two try to stay so strong on your own. Now more can be praying and be -in- on the marvelous workings of God. Thank you :)
Thank you, Tracey, for your encouragement and your sweet comment. I am definitely comforted by your story. I look forward to connecting with you more.
I am a new reader to your blogs, and I love the way you allow your faith to impact your struggle with infertility. I will tell you from experience that you are absolutely correct about God's timing. It took my husband and I nearly 10 years to have our son. In that time our relationship grew deeper, as did our relationship with God. When Chris finally came, I was able to stay home with him and raise him as we wanted to. We were also far more ready to be the parents God wanted us to be. I'll keep you in my prayers!